UChicagoGRAD treks are immersive opportunities to learn about potential career paths. Through coordinated site visits, participants experience the work of a variety of organizations and network with alumni and professionals in related fields. The theme and location of each trek changes, providing a tailored experience for PhD students and postdocs with clear career interests.

Past treks have taken participants to organizations in Chicago, New York, Boston, Seattle, Philadelphia, the Bay Area, and Washington, D.C. Topics have included biotech, publishing, quantitative finance, museums, science policy, and more. Treks are organized and led by the myCHOICE (STEM) and PATHS (HUMSS) programs at UChicagoGRAD.

What Participants Say

The trek gave me a much better understanding of the quantitative finance industry, which is quite different than I thought before. It is amazing that the trek helped me as an outsider to learn about the field so deeply. Now I know exactly what type of person they are looking for, which is going to be very helpful when I apply for the job.

Attendee, myCHOICE Quantitative Finance Trek to New York City

I obtained several helpful insights while on the trek, but the one that stands out was realizing the fluidity of career paths that people have taken since leaving academia. Before, feeling like there was only one path (teaching) from a humanities PhD was causing me some anxiety. Seeing the variety of what others have done infused me with hope about my future career prospects.

Attendee, PATHS Humanities in Industry and Tech Trek to Seattle

Learn more about…

…upcoming treks for STEM PhDs and postdocs.

…upcoming treks the humanities and social sciences PhDs and postdocs.